Independent Living

            Life after high school is the time to experience living independently! This freedom should be available to every person, regardless of a disability. There are essential living skills a person needs to know about themselves and the world around them to be successful. There are a many programs available to support anyone involved in the process. Why not take advantage of the opportunity! The following links are some of the programs and information out there to transition students with disabilities into independent adulthood.

         

            College Living Experience helps students with special needs prepare for life as independent adults. This post secondary transition program offers supports for academic, social and independent skills for students with 15 different disabilities. Their locations are across the United States in Austin, Texas; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Denver; Chicago; Monterey, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. This program offers independent living to the student with the assistance of a resident advisor and a mentor. The CLE keeps in regular communication with parents through progress reports. There is also a summer program offered to help high school senior and graduates adjust to living independently in a college environment.

http://www.cleinc.net/home.aspx

            This is an Educational Research Information Center article about life skills mastery for students with special needs. Students with disabilities lack daily living, personal/social, and occupational skills. The article provides bulleted information for a parent, care taker or person with a disability to gain the knowledge on the skills necessary for independent living. Topics that are included are safety, personal needs, responsible citizenship, maintaining employment, and problem solving skills, along with many others.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Life_Skills_Mastery/

 

            The National Council on Independent Living is a national organization run by and for people with disabilities. The NCIL works to advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer driven advocacy. Here a person can find the latest news on legislation dealing with transportation, health care and many other topics. There are also links to state councils and centers for independent living and other issues to assist a person with a disability.

http://www.ncil.org/about.html